​It’s no secret that this year has been a weird one for traveling due to COVID-19. As the country and the world has slowly started to open back up, you might be wondering if it’s okay to start adding stamps to your passport again.
 
I’ve had many travelers and wedding groups head to resorts since July, and I have prepared them all for the new expectations they may experience while vacationing during a pandemic. Things feel a little different than before and you may see some amenities or activities not available as they adhere to local laws and safety guidelines. 

​However, I continue to see many forum’s and hateful posts from travelers about their stay, which were obviously not prepared and didn’t understand that just because you are on vacation, doesn’t mean the reality of a world pandemic can be forgotten.
 
For this reason, I thought it would be a good idea to go over some differences you can expect as you venture overseas to rejuvenate at an all-inclusive beach resort! There is nothing more that gets me riled up than unprepared travelers ruining resort reputations and being disappointed by not being fully informed before they decided to book a getaway.
 
Most of you should know that you aren’t invisible on vacation, so the same common-sense rules still apply. If you wouldn’t do something at home due to safety concerns, use that same intelligence and gut feeling when you travel, no matter the circumstance.
 
Also remember that you are protecting the employees too, so they can continue working and welcome travelers. If you aren’t ready to give up your foam pool parties and nightclub outings, or even follow the new requirements during travel with face masks, temperature checks, and possible testing… then it’s not the time for you to travel and you should wait to until COVID is no longer affecting the environments around us.
 
Before you take a vacation – please take a moment to review some of these new changes you can experience as you travel…

​Safety first… and don’t forget your protective gear.
I get it, masks aren’t sexy in travel photos. However, many states, countries, and provinces are requiring things like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc… As your travel agent, I provide you with the specific requirements for your destination to ensure you are well-informed.

Many destinations have implemented expensive fines, and even jail time has been executed in some cases, so definitely don’t take this lightly and feel like this is a choice. If you travel, you must follow the local laws, no matter your feelings on the matter. It’s also always a good idea to wash your hands more frequently, and/or use hand sanitizer in tourist locations. Add wipes and travel sanitizer to your packing list for all future trips to stay as healthy as possible, regardless of the current situation.

You can travel, but where?
There are still many destinations that are not allowing American travelers to enter. As such, the first phase in your travel planning is research. As the CDC recommends, “If traveling internationally or across international borders, check with the destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.” You can also check with the World Health Organization to see which countries are still dealing with outbreaks of the coronavirus.
 
And of course, your travel agent is there to assist and make this a bit less stressful to figure out – we receive continuous training and updates from the tourist boards of their changes and help with understanding the new requirements, so we can guide you through the details.
 
You may need to be flexible with your dates.
As outbreaks are still continuing, travel can be a bit more unpredictable then it already was, and changes can occur at a moment’s notice. Such as, if a crew member or passenger is found to be positive for the coronavirus, this can cause a disruption in service. Border restrictions may change, and city/country curfews may be implemented. Now more than ever, it’s critical to have a travel agent, and travel insurance instead of trying to go it alone. You could get stuck with more unrecoverable fees if you try to DIY your travel!
 
Prepare for the possibility of required quarantine/testing.
To enter certain locations a seven to 14 day quarantine in your hotel may be required. Others are requiring a specific negative COVID-19 test results before allowing entry. Most airports, bus terminals, and other transportation hubs are even requiring that you allow them to check your temperature before you can enter the building. As a result, you should arrive early to all transportation check-in locations.

Understand that things will be different than “normal”.
There will be less people, not only because some don’t feel safe traveling during a pandemic, but also because occupancy levels for many hotels and resorts are being capped by local laws that can range from 30-60% in many locations.
 
Minimizing patrons in restaurants, entertainment venues, tourists’ sites, etc… will also be based on local laws and can vary greatly. Just as our own cities have similar restrictions, you can expect to see the same across the world as they are also trying to keep their community as safe as possible. Therefore, you may run into longer wait times to be seated for dining services, and entertainment options may also be limited. Patience and flexibility will be key for travel these days.
 
You typically won’t find pool parities, group volleyball between random guests, towel animals on your bed, and even some resorts have removed liquor bottles from the room, as the hotels are being very cautious and adhering to the social distancing and sanitization recommendations.
 
Safety of guests and staff is most important to keep tourism strong which is very much needed in most of these destinations. Therefore, you will see changes such as virtual dining and bar menus via your phone, paperless check-in, and once per day cleaning & bar restocking to minimize entrance into your room, just to name a few.  
 
Lastly, shopping stores and tourist attractions around the area may still be closed in many parts of the world or have limited operation hours. So, it’s best to research beforehand if there’s something you really want to see.
 
The good news - many things will be cheaper.
As less people are traveling, prices have gone down for lodging. With tourist revenue so critical to the economy for a number of destinations, they are offering great deals in an effort to attract visitors. You can travel well, and you can travel safely, and we can help you do it.
 
To learn more about traveling during a pandemic, contact Destinations HD. We’d be happy to help you create a relaxing getaway that you surely deserve after this year, when you are ready.
 
Additional resources we recommend checking out:

• Risk of COVID-19 exposure on planes 'virtually nonexistent' when masked, study shows
• The CDC Guide to Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Conde Nast Travel on Coronavirus and Travel: Everything You Need to Know
• Is It Safe to Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
• Coronavirus travel advice from the Mayo Clinic 

As many of us head into chilly temperatures and the early darkness blues as the sun is setting too quickly these days, I’m getting more calls for last minute winter vacations. Resort vacations have increased lately as a last ditch effort to enjoy a vacation before the years over… and what better way to end a shitty year, then a beach all-inclusive vacay where you don’t have to worry about reality for a few days!?!

If you are busting at your wits end from not having a vacation this year, and done dealing with all the negativity this year has thrown at us – but you may have questions on safety of travel - let’s chat to discuss all the new protocols and requirements to ease your mind. You'll be surprised at how much more other destinations and resorts are doing than many of our own cities. Of course, if you are in a high-risk group with underlying medical conditions – you should still stay quarantined at home and follow your doctor’s advice.
​
If you are daydreaming about a white Christmas... a sandy white one that is – now is the time to get your vacation locked in. Imagine playing in the sand at an all-inclusive beach resort, instead of shoveling snow this winter!

There are a few resorts that extended their “Work & Learn” programs for families that are doing remote school and working from home – so you can feel comfortable departing and still be able to participate in your online environment. Who wouldn’t want an office with a view while working/learning and then heading down to the pool for some play between breaks?! When are you ever going to get a chance like this again?! Hopefully never!
​
​Embrace the dream of a warm white winter...

When 2020 began, I’m betting you had no idea things would turn out the way that they have. I sure didn't!! It feels like a lifetime ago, but I started out the year on a mind-blowing safari in Africa and just a few days after my return, the "world blew up", as I like to say.

This pandemic has certainly been an educational experience, to say the least. For many of us, it’s brought with it extreme stress and that is just one of the things that prompted this post today.

If you’re anything like me, you might be in serious need of a massage to relieve some of that stress. After all, massage is more than just rubbing and pressing the skin. It’s actually “considered part of complementary and integrative medicine” due to the benefits the body can enjoy from it. (1) 

I had to learn the hard, and expensive way, when I didn't listen to my body and start treatments before it got too bad, and now I struggle to reverse the damage. I have a routine of massage that combines some physical therapy techniques to keep my pain at bay which could have been avoided.
​
I wanted to share 7 reasons you need a massage for your health AND one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts that is a dream for spa treatments, relaxation and rejuvenation!

1. Massage can relieve anxiety and depression. (1)
2. The rubbing and pressure can improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. (2)
3. When a masseuse kneads your muscles and joints, it can provide a boost to your immune system thanks to the increase in the circulation of white blood cells. (3)
4. Regular massages can minimize back pain, reduce joint pain, and relieve headaches. (4)
5. For both athletes and non-athletes, massage can improve flexibility and mobility thanks to the stimulation of blood circulation around the muscles and joints. (5)
6. You’ll sleep better. Baby massage is even one of the first techniques suggested to help infants sleep. The National Sleep Foundation says it’s the same for adults. (6)
7. It boosts your mood by increasing your serotonin and dopamine levels. In other words, massages literally make you happy! (7)
   ​

I don’t know about you, but I’m daydreaming of a nice massage in the afternoon and then relaxing on the beach. Waves crashing in the background, a cool drink in my hand, and watching a glorious sunset. Doesn’t that sound like heaven right about now? If so, I know just the resort you can combine massage and wellness for an overall health getaway...

While there are many amazing resorts that focus on wellness, spa or relaxation, this is just one of my favorites that I wanted to share with you! This adults-only, all-inclusive resort opened with a unique twist to the inclusive resort concept. UNICO 20°87° isn’t just a destination, it’s a journey! From locally-inspired gourmet dishes to exhilarating tours of ancient ruins, you'll find more than your typical all-inclusive resort, and will enjoy the rich, warm culture of modern Mexico!

This upscale resort is set on a natural eco-reserve, along a beautiful white sand beach with dreamy views of the Caribbean Sea. Upon arrival, you are instantly embraced with the most enchanting aroma in the lobby. As you check-in, you're asked to personalize the scent of your own room, then your personal host ("butler") will escort you to your room and provide a personal tour.

Here, you won't find entertainment staff asking you every hour to join them for archery, salsa classes, etc... Instead, you'll discover pop-up activities, music and scheduled classes that you can leisurely join if interested or just relax and not be bothered. 
 
The true luxury of this boutique resort begins with unlimited inclusions, such as unlimited golf, scuba diving experiences, spa treatments, local tours and beauty salon & barber services... that's right, I said UNLIMITED SPA TREATMENTS!! Here you can find a variety of select tours and spa/salon services that are included with your stay! You just pay a 25% service fee for each service used (plus gratuity).

For example, if want to visit the archaeological site Coba and combine your visit to a Cenote - you would normally pay $99 per person for this tour, but at UNICO 20°87° you only pay $24.75pp for this incredible experience! The greatest thing to point out is, the included signature tours are unique to resort guests only, so you'll have access to special hours that other tourists don't receive - providing you a more authentic and secluded experience! These memorable adventures will make your vacation truly one to flaunt! 

Last detail worth mentioning, this resort is located on a beach where many sea turtles come to lay their eggs. I was fortunate to be there during this season and stayed up late to tag along with the Turtle Conservation Team and was lucky enough to witness three different turtles nesting and returning to the sea. Did you know that after her laying eggs the sea turtle drops a tear or two? There is another reason behind this, but it was one of the most remarkable and heartfelt experiences I've ever been a part of! If this is something you have interest in, I can help connect you and set up a private tag-along too!

There is SO much more to discuss about this resort and the one-of-a-kind experiences it offers, but don't want to overload you at once! Let's schedule a time to chat about your next vacation and see if this resort might fit your expectations and desires! ​Schedule your free consultation or click here to learn more about my award-winning boutique travel agency. 

In these uncertain times, it’s critical now more than ever working with a travel agent for booking your transportation and lodging accommodations both domestically and abroad. One of the most important lessons people have learned during the Coronavirus Pandemic is that in any kind of emergency, no one will advocate for your best interests quite like a travel advisor will. ​

The reality is when the pandemic first started disrupting travel, causing resorts to close, and leading to flight cancellations in early 2020, many tourists were left out in the cold. In the worst cases, people were stranded in vacation destinations unsure of how to get home. Some even had to spend obscene amounts of money to change transportation plans at the last minute.

Hundreds of thousands of people were stuck on the phone for hours on end with representatives who quite frankly didn’t care about whether or not customers were happy with their service. For travelers that couldn’t reach someone on the phone, they were added to an endless queue of backlogged support tickets waiting for an email about the status of their trips. Refunds were hard to obtain, cancellations were difficult to confirm, and the possibility of postponing a trip was left up in the air.

For people that were working with travel advisors, instead of trying to manage all of their cancellations and re-bookings on their own, they had a real human being making the phone calls, tracking down the contact information, and speaking directly with transportation and travel vendors.

Travel professionals are usually the first to learn about new advisories and changes that could impact your vacation plans, so you can focus on the more important things and go about your life while your advisor navigates through all the challenges for you.
​
With a situation as fluid as the Coronavirus Pandemic, having a travel advisor working for you on your behalf is the smarter and stress-free way to book your travel. When you’re ready to travel again, we hope that you will contact Destinations HD. ​

Before you spiral into a hole of endless information or bad advice, let's chat! We can make sure you know the expectations for your trip and will walk you through any questions regarding your destination(s). We understand every person and trip is unique and requires personalized service and attention.

​​Schedule your free consultation to learn more about our services and how we can assist you with planning an unforgettable and stress-free vacation! We are committed to making your vacation extra special.

Stay positive, safe and hopeful! 
​Experiences Await...
#experiencesawait #destinationshd

​Now that you’ve chosen your destination there’s no stopping you from day-dreaming your way through the work week about the imminent vacation bliss that is to be yours in just a few short months.

​But take note, before you go packing three bathing suits because you can’t pick just one, now is the time to talk about the not-so-fun stuff that could ruin your entire vacation – or stop it from happening altogether. 

In this article, I'll walk you through some passport requirements for international travel that you may not be aware of...

• Before You Leave

Odds are, you already know that you need a passport to travel internationally and to reenter the United States. What you may not know, is that most countries have strict regulations on entering and exiting their country when your passport is close to its expiration date.

As an example, if your passport expires within six months of travel, you won’t be able to enter St. Lucia, Italy, Canada, and so many others. Additionally, if your passport expires within three months of your departure back to the U.S. from France, you won’t be able to leave the country at all. While getting stuck in France indefinitely and taking up a new life as a French fashion icon might sound fun, it might not work out so perfectly in reality. Passport restrictions are different depending on the destination you’re visiting, which is why you definitely need to be educated before you go.

So, what could really go wrong? You’re not a criminal and you have a certified passport, so whatever hiccup occurs could certainly be easily fixed. Not quite. Not adhering to a countries passport requirements could cost you quite a bit of money and in the worst-case scenario could result in you being detained in a foreign place, unable to return home until you can get a passport renewal expedited. It is your responsibility to know the regulations of the country you are traveling to. Otherwise, when you arrive you may learn some devastating news.

Also be aware of the layovers you may have in countries other than your destination, because you can be held accountable for that countries passport laws too, even if you don’t leave the airport. If one place requires three months to consider your passport valid, but your connecting flight requires six you could get stuck in limbo.

It's not just about the expiration date either, some countries have strict rules of how many blank passport pages you must still have to be considered valid. Do your research in advance to ensure you meet the requirements.  

• Important Reminders

When you renew a passport or apply for a new one, a routine application can take up to six weeks to process – and that’s if there are no discrepancies or errors with your documentation. You can pay for “rush” processing, but the expedited fee isn’t cheap and you will still wait around three weeks, unless you pay even more and go through a third-party agency.

Unfortunately, when COVID-19 caused the passport office to close operations in March 2020, those typical turnaround times flew out the window. When the passport agencies started re-opening and processing applications again, they are operating in phases with limited offices and staff. Each location is under different phases of their re-opening plan, and the situation is being monitored closely as the fluidity of the situation continues to develop.  Expedited services are still temporarily suspend except for cases involving life-or-death emergencies.  Therefore, it’s a very important time to plan ahead – especially if you typically procrastinate these things. 

Go check your passport expiration now to see if you should begin your application or renewal process sooner than later. Get a jump on your application to avoid disappointment in case your passport doesn’t arrive in time, making you miss out on your trip.

Lastly, as if the ins and outs of passport laws and customs weren’t overwhelming enough, you also need to have an understanding about the actual laws of the country you are visiting. For example, several countries place restrictions on entry towards people who have a criminal conviction – no matter how far in the past it might have been. Passengers without proper documentation, or that fail to meet destination requirements, can be denied boarding or entry at the international destination and you won’t be entitled to a refund or future credit. Do not pass “go”, do not collect $200. On top of how stressful that would be, you’d also still have to coordinate your flight home – and bear in mind, most of us tend to buy tickets that can only be used on the dates we purchased them for, so that new ticket home would have at your own expense.

It would be terrible to ruin the vacation you daydreamed about the past year by getting stuck in an outside country and having to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new passport or unexpected travel costs, so take the measures not to make sure that doesn’t happen.

You can find out everything you need to know about the destination you’re visiting and its passport laws via The Department of State’s Passport Services website and by talking to your travel professional. You can also follow the updates of the passport offices and expedited services at the U.S. Passports Travel State Government site. ​

​Do you ever get the feeling that the property reviews on TripAdvisor or similar websites are a little shady? Like they might not be real or biased?

​If so, then keep reading because I’m going to share with you the truth about reviews for resorts and what you should consider before you book that trip...

• You Are NOT Them

First and foremost – read around the innuendos and take reviews with a grain of salt. Experiences unrelated to the actual hotel stay can factor into someone’s state of mind, which unfortunately may set the stage for negative influences in everything that happens on the trip moving forward.
 
Have you ever had a bad experience and it stayed with you throughout the day, where your mood and personality were altered for the rest of the day? This can be true on vacation too. Travel is unpredictable and when someone starts the trip off with issues, whether they are personally inflicted, such as arguments or the stress from preparing before the trip – or outside influences related to travel delays due to mother nature or mechanical issues.

These incidents can snowball and turn excitement into frustration, which can be hard for some people to separate and move on from. Understanding this nature and that some people feel better if they voice all the nit-picky details that happened after their first disappointment can be reflected in unwarranted reviews.  
 
Most importantly you must remember, you are not them! The reviewer could love something on the opposite spectrum of the experience and quality you prefer on vacation. The clientele a resort tends to attract, may not be the type of people you would normally take advice from or want to share your vacation time with. So, just because so many people love something online, the typical guest that tends to stay at that particular resort, may not have the same appreciation level relating to your tastes, comforts, or definition of luxury and fine dining that you desire. Be sure to read between the lines, and deep dive into the type of resort it truly is!

• Red Flags to Look Out For

As with anything, marketing teams often look for a way to game the system online. It’s why Amazon shares whether or not a person reviewing a product was a verified purchaser. It’s also why everyone and their brother will ask you to like their new Facebook page. We all want to gain the upper hand in terms of beating the algorithms to show off the best possible perception of ourselves. (…and I’ll take this shameless opportunity to ask you to like our pages too and support our small business: Facebook and/or Instagram – Thanks a bunch!) 😊
 
Unfortunately, this gaming of the system has spilled into property reviews. On Fiverr alone, there are several freelancers who offer to write reviews for your website about your company even if they have never purchased anything from you or stayed at your hotel. Friends, family, and even staff members are also being asked to write glowing recommendations about properties.
 
This isn’t all that surprising when you consider that an influx of bad reviews can ruin a business, good reviews can lead to more revenue, and anyone can sign up to review a company - even when they’ve never been a customer. And as Forbes explained, “TripAdvisor reviews don't require a verified booking.”
 
So, how can you tell if the property reviews you’re reading are legit?

1. First, look for both good and bad reviews. If there isn’t a single bad review, or at least one with less than 5-stars (assuming a 5-star scale), then that is a red flag that the reviews aren’t legitimate.
   
   
2. Also look for a plethora of vague, canned responses. You know the type:
   “This place was great.”
   “I’d totally stay here again.”
   “The staff was friendly, and the price was reasonable.”
   
   Real reviews tend to be longer than one sentence. Especially when someone is gushing about how wonderful their experience was; or ranting about how awful their stay was.
   
   
3. Keep an eye out for broken English and really bad grammar. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I’ve fired off an email with a glaring spelling or grammatical error, but when an entire slew of reviews is plastered with poor English, and weird spelling and grammar mistakes - I hate to say it, but’s it’s usually a red flag!
   
   
4. Look for words like “free stay,” “comped visit,” “influencer,” and “travel blogger.” The truth is that reviews written by influencers can sometimes be skewed. When bloggers and influencers receive comp stays at hotels, they will often leave a nicer review than a paying guest will. That’s one of the reasons property managers invite them in the first place. Property managers will sometimes give an influencer a better experience and more perks than the general public can receive with the sole purpose of receiving glowing reviews.

 

• So, How Can You Determine Which Properties are Worth the Visit?

To be sure if a property would meet your expectations, I highly recommend working with a professional travel advisor that specializes in the destination you are looking to travel to. When a trusted advisor that has personally been to the property(s), they can discuss the pro/cons based on your travel style and make sure the property would be a good fit to what you are actually looking for.

Otherwise, unless your family or friends has recently stayed there (and by recently, I mean within the last year - maybe two - as resorts make changes with staff, renovations or sell to new management companies which can greatly alter the experience and may not be what it was); so, if your family/friend have very similar likes and dislikes - these are the only two ways to know for sure if it will be everything you're hoping for and worth the investment. 

• Scratch Off Map of the World

How fun is this? Hang it on your wall, and scratch off all the places you’ve been. There are several companies that make these in different colors, but this black and gold one felt the most elegant.

• Storage Suitcases

We all have papers and odds and ends we need to keep, but that are eyesores if they aren’t corralled. That’s why I like these storage boxes that look like suitcases stacked and ready for my next trip.

• Travel Quote Artwork and Throw Pillows

A great quote that I live by is “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” Having a piece of artwork that says it is a great reminder to travel more! Same for throw pillows with fun quotes like “Not all who wander are lost.”

• Globe Bank

They say that the key to more travel is to simply save money and plan to go somewhere. What better place to store your money than in a piggy bank shaped like a globe?


• Shower Curtain and Bath Mats

How fun are these? While they may not make you want to spend more time in the bathroom, they might just inspire you to book your next trip out of town!
 

• Paris and Italy Candles

You can even get candles with images of the places you want to visit, or that you have been to. Can we just go already, please?!? ​

I hope you enjoyed these fun pieces of travel-themed decor. Bringing the world into your home can help you go on a virtual vacation until you can go on a real one! 

When you’re ready to travel again, we hope you will think of Destinations HD. ​As always, for a free consultation, please reach out and we can begin working together to plan your 2021 and beyond adventures. Let us help you plan that stress-free and memorable vacation!  

Stay positive, safe and hopeful! 
​
Experiences Await...
#experiencesawait #destinationshd

You’re probably aware that some travel agents/advisors claim that their services are completely free and that other travel agents charge fees.

But how much do travel agents charge - and why do we charge at all?

Travel agent fees vary from agency to agency, but to give you a quick idea, you can find a typical range between $100 to $1200 depending on the destination, length of stay and complexity of the itinerary.

In keeping with my honesty and transparency, I feel it’s necessary to have an open discussion about travel agent fees, why Destinations HD charges fees and what you're actually paying for.

In light of the current situation regarding COVID-19, this has been a hot topic and more travel professionals are introducing fees, so I wanted to take this opportunity to help you to understand the reasons why and the role of your travel agent as you begin to book travel in the future.

This is quite lengthy, but there is so much to cover. Grab your cup of coffee - I hope you find this informative and enjoy a glimpse into the agent life...

Protection
Sadly, it is all too common for a person to pick a travel advisors brain, ask us to curate details of trips, call around for quotes and provide complete itineraries, only to have the would-be client take that agents expertise and work and then attempt to “shop around”. This kind of behavior has led many seasoned advisors to implement a Service Fee prior to beginning work on your requested travel plans.

What you might not realize is that 95% of our work is done on the front end of a trip. The service fee is a layer of protection for the advisor to assure that we are paid for the vast amount of effort that is put in and the knowledge that is dispersed – knowledge that has taken years of education, money and training to gather, in order to help travelers around the world enjoy a travel experience that they’ll cherish forever.  

Education and Expertise
While there are numerous tourism and travel agent certification programs available, in all honesty, this isn’t the kind of education that you need to pay attention to when you’re looking for a travel advisor.

Many advisors work for large “host agencies” or “big-box” retail locations and these advisors are usually offered client leads based on a rotation schedule within the organization. While the agent may or may not have resources available to them, it is entirely possible that your agent may have limited knowledge, experience, and exposure to the destination and/or experience that you are looking for.

I pride myself on growing Destinations HD to be a specialized agency with affiliations, education, and training all directly related to the niche and destinations that I offer to my clients. To that end, a portion of my service fee supports the countless hours that I have invested in my expertise.

I investigate at least 3 destinations each year for training. During these familiarization trips, I visit 5-8 different properties PER DAY regardless of the weather – and let’s be honest, it is usually hot, humid, and uncomfortable - that is when you aren’t hanging in the pool at these tropical destinations. I pack sturdy and comfortable sandals to try to minimize the pain that will shoot through my feet by the end of each day, and I fall into bed exhausted, but super excited about which of the new properties I visited will be perfect to recommend to my clients when I’m back home.

In addition to familiarization trips, I attend travel conferences, networking groups, training events, webinars, and keep abreast of developing situations in countries that are my areas of expertise, in addition to, paying for top of the line weather alert software so that I can keep a meteorological eye on my clients wherever they might be.

So while it might appear that Destinations HD can recommend a property or a destination at the drop of a hat, be aware that there is extensive education, sacrifice and financial investment involved in having an agent who can speak knowledgeably to you about your travel plans and recommend options that will elicit the experience that you want from your vacation.
​
So – just as in any service industry – you pay a little for education and experience. ​

Time
Time is money and that holds true for everyone. This is why many people get paid a salary or an hourly wage – people get paid for the time they work, and Destinations HD charges a fee for a portion of our time and the work that we put into planning and managing your trip.

“But wait! Travel advisors get paid on commission!” I hear you say, and yes, it is true that travel advisors get paid a percentage once travel has been completed.

However, there are a couple of things to note about that:
​

1. Commission is only paid AFTER travel is completed. So, if you cancel your trip or are unable to travel due to unforeseen circumstances – well then, I don’t get paid. At all.
   
   
2. Commission is NOT paid on the total trip package – in fact, more often, we get a commission of the hotel stay only. And that comes with its own set of terms, conditions and loopholes for the hotels to get away with paying us as little as possible.
   
   

In regards to point number 2, this can be a problem for both you and me because it’s possible to build a partnership with certain hotel brands for agent perks or higher commission. What this unfortunately leads to, are dishonorable advisors who will steer clients to properties that they know they’ll get a higher commission for selling, and this is, in part, is another reason that I charge a fee – to offset the lower commission that I might receive for recommending the property that is BEST for you, instead of the one that is best for MY paycheck.

I’ll delve more into commission later, but for now, let me continue with explaining why you’re paying for my time. Once I’ve had a consultation with you and begun to form an idea of what you want and need from me, I begin working on your travel plans. Being a concierge service, all itineraries and quotes that I present to you, were curated personally for you and your traveling companion(s).

There is no auto-quote button and I don’t allow my team to outsource your quote or itinerary in any way, therefore, everything you receive is hand-picked, personally typed, and wrapped with a palm leaf before it is provided to you. This process takes quite some time, but  I created this agency first and foremost to help people realize their travel dreams and to be able to have someone to trust !
​
Time is also a significant factor when it comes to the following:
​

• Re-quoting – this is also done prior to depositing on every single booking. Rates and availability can change daily, so when you are ready to proceed, I must reconfirm all the details again to confirm any changes. I never charge your card first and tell you later that there was an increase in price that I didn’t realize because I didn’t do my due diligence for you.
• Checking if a new promotion is applicable to your already deposited/paid for trip. I want to make sure you receive the best deals, so if any new promotions arise that I can add, I’ll make the change for you!
• Determining rescheduling or cancellation options – which in the current travel climate often requires hours upon hours of hold times and needs to be repeated again when/if you decide later to proceed with making any changes, as terms are continually changing.
• Adding your itinerary with all travel information to our Mobile Travel App that Destinations HD offers, so that everything you need it accessible from your phone at anytime, anywhere.
• Providing our travel tips, advice and area recommendations to maximum your experience. These are customized to each client based on what I learned about you as we work together. 
• Staying abreast of ever-changing entry requirements for the region that you are traveling to. Even before COVID-19, I created step-by-step instructions with photos to familiarize you prior to travel of the arrival expectations and any details you need to be aware of to make your trip as seamless as possible. 
• Updating any changes to your travel plans or flights. Airlines adjust their flight schedules, so we must update your invoice and itinerary accordingly. If any changes to the schedule are not ideal, it is our job to work with the airline to get a better schedule if possible and ensure to get you on a flight that is more reasonable.
• Communicating celebration or requests to the hotels or suppliers. Celebrating an anniversary or have dietary restrictions? Upon reservation I reach out to all the contacts involved in your booking to ensure your requests are noted accordingly. Furthermore, I take the extra step and reach out a few weeks prior to your trip to reconfirm and make sure the staff is ready for your arrival.

I hope you found some valuable insight into our industry. I can keep on going discussing the differences between agency services, but this is already SUPER long, so I won't keep you. Should you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line!

​As always, for a free consultation, please reach out and we can begin working together to plan your 2021 and beyond adventures!

Stay positive, safe and hopeful! 

Experiences Await...
#experiencesawait #destinationshd

While this newsletter may not apply to you, I ask that you share it with those you know who could benefit, as so many couples and their families have been, and continue to be, impacted by the ever-fluid consequences of dealing with a global pandemic during their wedding planning.
​
Weddings are supposed to be a time when families and friends come together to celebrate the love and union of two people and the bonding of two families. Since weddings are not only a joyous and emotional investment, but often a significant financial investment, I wanted to touch on some things to consider and the options out there for those who have been planning or are considering planning a destination wedding at an international location. ​​

Unlike the rest of us planning vacations, weddings need to be planned at least a year in advance so “waiting to see what happens” isn’t really an option – which means that action needs to be taken without knowing what could happen or what to expect. Suffice it to say, that itself, is a very daunting thought!
​
Luckily, human ingenuity and creativity are at their best when faced against difficult odds and this is no exception. We’ve put together a few ideas and options for those nearlyweds who want to stay true to their dream wedding vision while staying safe and keeping at-risk loved ones out of harms way. Read on for more! ​

While all of this can seem daunting to wrap your head around, for the most part those in the industry who have already begun traveling have nothing but good news to report!

Most of the above changes are allowing for more personalized services to be administered to each guest, and you can rest soundly in the knowledge that cleanliness and hygiene standards have never been higher!
​
When it comes to planning where you want to go next and understanding the new protocols, my best advice is to reach out so that we can discuss the kind of experience that you're looking for and tailor a vacation to suit your needs.

Stay safe, positive and hopeful! 
Experiences Await...
#experiencesawait #destinationshd